Chernobyl children get active in Luton
A guided walk and cycle ride in Luton are just some of the activities lined up to help raise the life expectancy of Chernobyl children during a four week visit to the town.
PHOTOCALL
What: A group of Chernobyl children get active through walking and cycling during a recuperative break in Luton
Where: People’s Park, Havelock Road, Luton
When: 9.30am - 12.30pm, Tuesday 16th March 2010
Ten children from Belarus, the worst affected city in the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster, will stay with host families of employees from Luton-based company, Admiral Group. The visit has been set up alongside Chernobyl Children’s Life Line Charity to bring child victims of the disaster to the UK for restorative breaks.
To offer children a memorable and fun-filled visit, Admiral Group has teamed up with sustainable transport charity, Sustrans, to organise guided walks and cycle rides through Luton on Tuesday 16 March. The children will be taken on a walk through People’s Park followed by cycle control skills training.
Sarah Leeming of Sustrans in Luton, said: “We are delighted to be supporting Admiral Group during the Chernobyl children’s four week visit.
“Taking part in outdoor exercise such as walking and cycling will really help to boost the well being of these children, and we hope their visit to Luton will inspire them to continue to enjoy physical activity when they return home.”
Raj Parmar from Admiral Group said: “Chernobyl Children’s Life Line Charity has informed Admiral Group and Sustrans that the four week visit to the UK is anticipated to increase each child’s life expectancy by two years.
“Our employees regularly take part in Sustrans’ lunchtime health walks called Walk the Talk, and the outdoor exercise has really helped to boost their health and energy levels. We’re confident that the Chernobyl children will benefit greatly from taking part in similar activities and meeting new people.”
Sustrans loans out bikes to people in Luton as part of its Active Lives, Healthy People project – one of 10 walking and cycling projects set up across England.
Published by: Travel Actively on Monday February 22 2010
